New Natal Fig

[PeterW]

Found a nice Natal Fig (hope that spelling and species is correct) needs some thickening but might make something in a few years maybe. Probably plant it out for 2 years or so. Does anybody have expierience with growing this species, its my first.
Peter

[anttal63]

has a very nice stance on it peter im sure in your hands it will come up trumps.

[Steven]

Very graceful movement in the trunk, I'm looking forwards to seeing progress shots of this beauty! Where did you find it?
S.

[Pup]

Ficus for the Temperate climate by Hoy leong Kwong on Pages 61- 132- 154-182. Ficus natalensis.
Quite a fast growing fig develop quickly , with the right techniques. Gross feeders. I do not like the upward habit of growth. Got rid of mine.

[PeterW]

Very graceful movement in the trunk, I'm looking forwards to seeing progress shots of this beauty! Where did you find it?
S.

I got it at Bonsai Northside Nursery at Morayfield Steven. I am going to put it in the ground for a year or two first.
Peter

[mudlarkpottery]

Hi Peter.
It might be better (more controlable) growing in a foam box or 1/2 44gallon drum if what Pup says abut fast growth.
Penny.

[PeterW]

Hi Peter.
It might be better (more controlable) growing in a foam box or 1/2 44gallon drum if what Pup says abut fast growth.
Penny.

Yes maybe Penny, most figs have got a fast growth habit though. I feed mine fortnightly as well as leave a few pellets of Dynamic lifter on the surface and slow release in the mix, so all of mine grow very quickly anyway. If this species grows quicker, yipee...i will have a nicer tree sooner!
Peter

[Jon Chown]

Hi Peter, A google search does not seem to bring up much info on this species and I have never worked on one. I remember that there was a good article in one of the Bonsai Today issues done by a South African guy who raved about them and had quite a few in his collection. I'll see if I can dig it up.

Jon

[PeterW]

Hi Peter, A google search does not seem to bring up much info on this species and I have never worked on one. I remember that there was a good article in one of the Bonsai Today issues done by a South African guy who raved about them and had quite a few in his collection. I'll see if I can dig it up.

Jon

Thanks Jon, i havent had much time to look into them yet, thanks very much for that Jon
Regards
Peter

[mudlarkpottery]

Speaking of diging it up, Peter, you are a glutton for punishment if you put that one in the ground.
Penny.

[PeterW]

Speaking of diging it up, Peter, you are a glutton for punishment if you put that one in the ground.
Penny.

It hasnt got enough size in the trunk for the height of the tree and i dont want to turn it into another wee little tree....i am in no great hurry with any of my trees and i think that a few years in the ground would make for a much better proportioned tree in the long term. However i do agree with you....i am a glutton for punishment! I keep saying that i want to reduce the number of larger trees i have and increase the number of small trees.....however they BOTH keep increasing....dont figure...

[Hector Johnson]

I was going to buy one a few years ago and two professional bonsai growers said the same thing to me: "Be careful of them. They have a nasty habit of throwing away brances for no apparent reason."

I heeded that advice. Still don't have one.

[PeterW]

I was going to buy one a few years ago and two professional bonsai growers said the same thing to me: "Be careful of them. They have a nasty habit of throwing away brances for no apparent reason."

I heeded that advice. Still don't have one.

I looked into why they do this recently. The reason i was given is you must repot them every year or they will drop branches.
Peter

[Hector Johnson]

That makes sense, Peter.

Try growing it in a 45litre bag/pot on a couple of bricks. If the roots get into the ground then a sabre saw makes short work of them when it's time to repot.

[Asus101]

I looked into why they do this recently. The reason i was given is you must repot them every year or they will drop branches.
Peter

That's not a reason, its a solution. Did they tell you why they drop if you don't repot every two years?